by Emma Atkinson and Rachel Drake

Hello treasured readers!  We’re so grateful for your continued support and encouragement.  

We talked a lot about building solid foundations on respect, understanding  the pillar of capacity, yours and theirs, and envisioning the way our consent frameworks could look. As you are embarking on interactions and potential gatherings during this season, it’s a great time to examine how and when you get (and give) information. 

With celebrations aplenty, all with varying levels of safety as we are in the midst of a pandemic, getting, or giving, all of the information you need about an event is important to the health and safety of you and those you hold dear. If you are hosting the event, it’s a great idea to have a “Pandemic Plan” and let your guests know in advance, as well as details like: How many people will be attending? Indoors or out, what kind of airflow? Masks? Vaccination/test status? And any other details that might help you keep your loved ones safe.  

We all have varying levels of comfort, when it comes to socially interacting, so first, know yourself. What are you comfortable with? What are your “hard no’s”? Where you have been, and with whom? Was the event or gathering open air, or inside; masked or unmasked? These are great pieces of information to share with potential merry-makers you want to see and interact with. Just like a “safer” sex talk, we can share information in the same way, as well as request it from others. You can help make it an easy conversation by sharing with care, curiosity, and compassion.   

We wish you the warmest, happiest, merriest, cuddliest, jolliest, holiest, and sexiest holiday season possible!  And we wish you a consent-filled 2022!

Homework:  Please do your utmost to enjoy the holiday season to the maximum extent possible.  You can share holiday greetings with us at info@thecspc.org. 

“Be excellent to each other” - Bill and Ted

“Be sexcellent to each other” - Emma and Rachel